Simulated porthole or opening



Dec. 3, 1957 E. FLAM SIMULATED PoRTHoLE 0R OPENING Filed Dec. 24. 1956 Trae/Mfrs.

United States Patent SIMULATED PORTHOLE R OPENING Edward Flam, Beverly Hills, Calif.

Application December 24, 1956, Serial No. 630,229

6 Claims. (Cl. 40-126) This invention relates to a device for simulating a porthole inmarine vessels.

Passenger Staterooms are often provided in which there is no window or porthole, Ventilation being eifected by other means, such as air conditioning. Although such Staterooms may be as commodious and comfortable as desired, there is nevertheless a well-understood adverse feeling of being shut in, often described as claustrophobia. In many instances, this feeling is quite mild and endurable; in other instances, it may have quite unpleasant effects.

It is one of the objects of this invention to ameliorate the consequences of such windowless room, and particularly by the aid of a simulated porthole.

It is another object of this invention to provide simple and effective decoration for the walls of a room in a marine vessel.

The simulated porthole, constructed in accordance with this invention, provides an artiiicial horizon, and the viewer very effectively senses the pitching and rolling of the vessel. This in turn makes it possible more quickly to accommodate oneself to the ships motions with attendant greater assurance against sea sickness.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the invention. For this purpose, there is shown a form in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the present specification. This form will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of this invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is an elevation of a device incorporating the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along a plane corresponding to line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and

Figs. 3 and 4 are diagrammatic views illustrating the manner in which the device operates when mounted on the wall of a marine vessel.

The device includes a frame structure having a base 1 (Fig. 2) upon which is fastened a frame 2. The base 1 may be provided with means for attaching the device.V to a Wall, as hooks 3.

The frame 2 is provided with an inwardly directed flange 4 defining with base 1 a shallow rectangular space 5. The inner edge of ange 4 delines a circular opening 6. This circular opening serves to accommodate a cover member 7 having a flange simulating a porthole 7a, and overlying the inner edge of ange 4. This cover member 7 has an outwardly extending ange 8 contacting the frame 2.

The cover may be hinged to frame 2 as by the aid of the lug 9, carried by the cover, and cooperating with hinge lugs 9a mounted on the frame 2. At the righthand side of the cover, a wing nut 10 serves to hold the cover 7 in place by engaging a threaded stud 10a disposed between the parallel lugs 7b mounted on cover 7. Viewed through the opening 6 is a transparent closed container 11 which may be made of glass or plastic or other appropriate material. This container is rectangular, and its sides have considerable clearance with respect to the inner edges 2a of the frame 2. The lower wall 12 of this container is purposely made heavy, as indicated in Fig. 2, so that it may be readily suspended from a pivot to remain in a vertical position. Such a pivot may be provided, for example, by a circular stud or pin 13 appropriately attached to the front of the container 11, and pivotally disposed in an aperture in ange 4. The cover member 7 closely contines the container 11 with respect to the base 1 so that there is no danger of the pivot 13 moving out of registry with the aperture.

A body of liquid 15, such as water, is enclosed within the container 11 and has a level 16 extending somewhat below the center of the porthole aperture 7a. If desired, a picture 17 may be slipped back of container 11 and retained in place by ears 19 carried by the container. Access may be had for this purpose by removing base 1 from frame 2. The picture illustrated is a tropical marine scene, but the picture may be changed as desired or appropriate. This scene is visible through the transparent container 11, and may be removed and replaced with another one to change the scene.

Furthermore, a tubular electric lighting element 18 may be disposed near the top edge of the frame to provide illumination as desired.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate the eEect of the tilting of the marine vessel with respect to container 11. In Fig. 3, the ship or marine vessel to which the porthole is attached is presumed to have no tilt. However, if the vessel should pitch or tilt, the level of the water represented by the phantom lines 19 remains relatively iixed. The viewer thus receives a substantially correct sensing of the extent and direction of the tilting motion of the marine vessel in the water.

The inventor claims:

l. In a structure for simulating an opening: a frame; a translucent container; means for fastening the frame to a wall; and means for so mounting the container in the frame as to permit it to remain in fixed orientation to a horizon, irrespective of the position of the frame.

2. In a structure for simulating an opening: a frame; a translucent container; means for fastening the frame to a wall; and a pivotal connection between the frame and container, and near the top edge of the container.

3. In a structure for simulating an opening: a frame; a translucent container; means for fastening the frame to a wall; means for so mounting the container in the frame as to permit it to remain in fixed orientation to a horizon, irrespective of the position of the frame; and a picture carried by the container.

4. In a structure for simulating an opening: a frame; a translucent container; means for fastening the frame to a wall; a pivotal connection between the frame and container, and near the top edge of the container; and a picture carried by the rear wall of the container.

5. In a structure for simulating an opening: a frame; a translucent container; means for fastening the frame to a wall; a pivotal connection between the frame and container, and near the top edge of the container; and a source of illumination carried by the frame and concealed thereby, and above the container.

6. In a simulated porthole opening: a frame; means for attaching said frame to a wall; a member visible through the frame; and a pivotal connection between the member and the frame, the axis of the pivot being transverse to the frame; there being sufficient clearance between the sides of the member and the frame to permit u) substantial relative angular movement of the frame and 1,777,944 the member about said axis. 1,832,605

References Cited in the .le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS- 5 Lgggfgg '1,642,671 Davidson sept. 20, 11927 4 Trovato Oct. 7, 1930 Zallio Nov. 17, 1931 FOREIGNV PATENTS France Nov. 28, 1951 Great Britain Feb. 29, 1956 

